Ornithogalum plant named ‘MFPRINSTAR’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Ornithogalum  cultivar named ‘MFPRINSTAR’ is disclosed, characterized by long inflorescence of 30 cm, height of 60 cm, a high yield of 2-3 flowers per bulb, and light orange flower petals. The new variety is an  Ornithogalum , normally produced as an ornamental plant or cut flower.

Latin name of the genus and species: Ornithogalum dubium.

Variety denomination: ‘MFPRINSTAR’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Ornithogalum cultivar is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor, Michael Frank, in Moshav Givat Chen, Israel.The objective of the breeding program was to produce new Ornithogalumvarieties for ornamental commercial applications. The cross resulting inthis new variety was made during March of 2012.

The seed parent is the, unpatented, commercial variety referred to asOrnithogalum ‘MFGOLDSTAR’. The pollen parent is the unpatented,commercial variety referred to as Ornithogalum ‘MFSSTAR’. The newvariety was discovered in March of 2013 by the inventor in a group ofseedlings resulting from the 2012 crossing, in a research greenhouse inMoshav Givat Chen, Israel.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was performed by tissueculture. This was first performed at a research laboratory in MoshavGivat Chen, Israel in March of 2013 and has shown that the uniquefeatures of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type inmultiple successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘MFPRINSTAR’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘MFPRINSTAR’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘MFPRINSTAR’ as a new and distinct Ornithogalumcultivar:

-   -   1. Light orange petals    -   2. Long inflorescence (30 cm)    -   3. Average height—60 cm    -   4. High yield: 2-3 flowers per bulb    -   5. 150 days to flowering

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘MFPRINSTAR’ are similar to plants of theseed parent, Ornithogalum ‘MFGOLDSTAR’ in most horticulturalcharacteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘MFPRINSTAR’ differin the following;

-   -   1. Light orange flowers, the seed parent has a dark yellow        flower.    -   2. 30 cm long inflorescence, the seed parent has 10 cm long        inflorescence.    -   3. Height is 60 cm, the seed parent is 50 cm.    -   4. Produces 2-3 flowers per bulb, while the seed parent produces        1-2 flowers per bulb.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘MFPRINSTAR’ are similar to plants of thepollen parent, Ornithogalum ‘MFSSTAR’ in most horticulturalcharacteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘MFPRINSTAR’ differin the following;

-   -   1. Produces 2-3 flowers per bulb, the pollen parent produces 1-2        flowers per bulb    -   2. Has a 30 cm long inflorescence, the pollen parent has 20 cm        long inflorescence.    -   3. Flowers color is light orange, the pollen parent has orange        flowers.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘MFPRINSTAR’ are comparable to the unpatentedcommercial variety Ornithogalum ‘MFWHITSTAR’. The two Ornithogalumvarieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however,the new variety ‘MFPRINSTAR’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. The new variety has light orange flowers, while the        comparator has white flowers.    -   2. The new variety height is 60 cm, while the comparator is 55        cm in height.    -   3. The new variety has smooth stem, while the comparator has a        textured stem.    -   4. The new variety is dubium compatible, while the comparator is        dubium incompatible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical flowering stem of ‘MFPRINSTAR’ grown in a nursery. The stem washarvested from a plant of approximately 6 months old. The photograph wastaken using conventional techniques and although colors may appeardifferent from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurateas possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Mini Colour Chart 2001 except where general termsof ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘MFPRINSTAR’ plants grown outdoors and ingreenhouse during the Spring, and Summer in Moshav Givat Chen, Israel.The growing temperature ranged from 20° C. to 35° C. during the day andfrom 17° C. to 23° C. during the night. General light conditions arebright, normal sunlight. Measurements and numerical values representaverages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Ornithogalum ‘MFPRINSTAR’.

PROPAGATION

-   Type of propagation typically used: tissue culture.-   Time to initiate roots: 10-14 days.-   Root description: Fibrous.-   Bulb description:    -   -   Color.—Mixture of Brown 200C, 200D, Greyed-Orange 177A and            174A.        -   Diameter.—6-16 mm for first year bulbs (5 month growth).        -   Height.—6-20 mm for first year bulbs (5 month growth).

PLANT

-   Age of plant described: Approximately 5 months.-   Pot size of plant described: Planted in soil.-   Typical time to produce a flowering plant commercially: 150-180    days.-   Height: Approximately 40 cm to top of highest leaf. Approximately 60    cm to top of highest inflorescence.-   Plant spread: Approximately 25 cm.-   Growth rate: High.-   Branching characteristics: Non-branching.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Rosette.        -   Average length.—Approximately 25 cm.        -   Average width.—Approximately 5 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Sharp tip, flattened.        -   Apex.—Sharp tip.        -   Base.—Flattened.        -   Margin.—Smooth.        -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth.        -   Quantity of leaves per plant.—Approximately 7.        -   Attitude.—Arched.        -   Color.—Between Green 141C and 137C.        -   Venation.—Type: Linear.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Spring.-   Time to flowering: About 150 days.-   Flowering stems produced per bulb: 2-3.-   Inflorescence type and habit: Long raceme.-   Rate of flower opening: 3-5 days from pigments formation.-   Flower longevity on plant, or in vase if cut flower: 6 weeks and 3    weeks respectively.-   Quantity of flowers per inflorescence: 40.-   Average inflorescence per plant: 1.-   Inflorescence size:    -   -   Height.—Approximately 30 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 4 cm.-   Flowers per inflorescence: Average 25.-   Individual flowers:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 3 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 3 cm.        -   Type.—Single.        -   Shape.—Cup.-   Petals:    -   -   Quantity.—6.        -   Shape.—Eliptic, concave.        -   Length.—Approximately 1.5 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 1 cm.        -   Margin.—Smooth.        -   Apex.—Tip-like.        -   Base.—Smooth.        -   Texture.—Smooth inner and outer surfaces.        -   Appearance.—Matte inner and outer surfaces.-   Color:    -   -   Petals.—When opening: Outer surface: Near RHS NO25. Inner            surface: Near RHS NO25. Fully opened: Outer surface: Near            RHS NO25. Inner surface: Near RHS NO25. Color Changes when            Aging: Yes. Become near Greyed-Orange 177D when petals get            old. Striations or marking: Absent.        -   Sepals.—Quantity: 40. Shape: Concave Blade-like. Length:            Approximately 2-5 cm. Width: Approximately 1 cm. Margin:            Smooth. Apex: Sharp tip. Base: Smooth. Texture: Smooth inner            and outer surfaces. Appearance: Matte inner and outer            surfaces.-   Color:    -   -   Sepals.—When opening: Green. Outer surface: Near RHS            Yellow-Green 144C. Inner surface: Near RHS. Yellow-Green            144C. Fully opened: Outer surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green            144C. Inner surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144C.-   Bud:    -   -   Shape.—Conic.        -   Length.—Approximately 1 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.5 cm.        -   Color.—Green Near RHS.-   Pedicels:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 3 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 0.01 cm.        -   Aspect.—Angular.        -   Strength.—Firm.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144A.-   Scape:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 60 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 1 cm.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Angle.—Erect.        -   Strength.—High.        -   Color.—Near RHS Green 137B.-   Bract:    -   -   Length.—5 mm.        -   Form.—Ovate.        -   Color.—Near RHS Green 137B.-   Fragrance: None.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—6.        -   Filament length.—Approximately 0.4 cm.        -   Filament color.—Near RHS Black 202A.        -   Anther length.—0.3 cm.        -   Anther color.—Near RHS Yellow 3A.        -   Anther shape.—Tag-like.        -   Pollen.—Sphere with pits.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—1.        -   Length.—Approximately 0.3 cm.        -   Style color.—Near RHS Black 202A.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Triple. Color: Near RHS Black 202A.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: Completely fertile.-   Disease/pest resistance: Resistance to Erwinia corotovora. Neither    resistance nor susceptibility to other normal diseases and pests of    Ornithogalum has been observed.-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerates temperatures from approximately    1° C. to 30° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Ornithogalum plantnamed ‘MFPRINSTAR’ as herein illustrated and described.